Rare Jamman54 Posted September 2, 2018 #1 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Ahoy Everyone!!! Ryan and I just got back from our 5 day Father & Son get away aboard the Elation from Jacksonville to Half Moon Cay and Nassau. We had a fantabulous time. This will not be a full review since Patti and I covered her extensively last October, (review is in my signature), and I am happy to report that little or nothing has changed since then, except the crew members. I will be uploading some pictures, the Fun Times, etc, to my photo hosting site in the next couple of days, and when ready I will let you know. I'll post some Ryan pictures here since many have told me they miss seeing him in our reviews. :D For us, this cruise was about having a "few" drinks together, gambling, and seeing a few comedy shows. I hope to make this a yearly thing with Ryan for as long as I am able. It still aches my heart that I never got a chance to do this with Kevin. I'll throw some tidbits at you, as much as my alcohol infused body will let me remember. :D If you have any specific questions, I'll answer them the best that I can. Embarkation and debarkation was a breeze, Being a Diamond certainly helps. We had an inside cabin (E101) on Empress deck. This was more than adequate for our needs. Room steward did a great job. We had Your Time Dining (YTD). Never saw the dining room! We both had Cheers and knocked it out of the park! We both maxed out 4 out of the 5 days, and the days we missed were by only a few. Buy it online pre-cruise and save yourself $5 / day. Speaking of drinks, here's a shout out to some of the GREAT bartenders that took care of us this cruise. Wayan and Leonard at the Red Frog Rum Bar, Putu and Amie at Tiffany's, Momma Jo and everyone at the casino bar. If you see them make sure you tell them Jeff and Ryan say hello! When we ate it was at Tiffany's (Lido). No problem with the selection and quality of the food. Most of what was on the MDR menu was also available up here. Comedy shows, both PG & 18+ were all pretty good. We both attended the Diamond event and the Diamond/ Platinum reunion and had a great time at each. Plenty on snacks and drinks, (which don't count against Cheers!). :D Half Moon Cay day - We both stayed on the ship. GASP! I know that's hard to believe, but Ryan is not a beach person, I was just there in April, but the main reason was that Cheers doesn't work on the island. My plan was to enjoy the nearly completely empty ship, relax in the pool, and having a "few" drinks that I didn't have to pay extra for. This brings me to my one issue during this cruise, which did turn out to not be an issue at all. Let me try to explain. Ryan and I elected to sleep in today, giving the HMC people a chance to eat and leave the ship. Around 9:30 I got my bathing suit on, gathered my towel and things, then went up to get my breakfast burrito at Blue Iguana Cantina. I then went over to the Red Frog Rum Bar to get a Thirsty Frog Red to complete my breakfast of champions, Sounds good so far right? After having a few more TFR"s I decided it was time for a swim. I look at the pool and it was covered with netting. What? I noticed the Deck Officer over by the towel hut, so I went to pay him a visit. I asked him why was the pool closed? He said for routine maintenance. I asked him when will it be opened? He said sometime after 1pm. It is now only 10am. I kept my cool, didn't raise my voice, and told him that this was not acceptable. I told him that not everyone heads over to the island, and that some people, me included, would like to enjoy the pool when there isn't 100 people in it! I said that I would understand if something had broken or failed, but "routine maintenance" should be done at night after the pool closes, not during the day when people want to use the only pool on the ship. He told me that there was a pool at Serenity, to which I quickly replied that there is NOT a pool at Serenity, only hot tubs! I then told him that when I get my survey I will be sure to mention this on it, told him thank you, and went back to my seat at the Red Frog. My buddy Wayan had observed all this. He was shaking his head saying they do this all the time, and that I should go to Guest Services and complain. About 10 minutes later I turned to see the Deck Officer testing the water, and a few minutes later the netting was removed from the pool and it was opened. I don't know if it was me that got this accomplished, but a few minutes later myself, and a few others were enjoying the pool! Nassau - Ryan and I left the ship a little after 11 and made our way over to Senor Frog's, where for the next few hours we had a blast. Plenty of free shots came our way. We were back on the ship a little after 2. This was the reason I didn't max out my Cheers today! :D We entered the slot and blackjack tournaments. I made the final table in the blackjack tournament, and it came down to me and two others. Lost it on the final hand. It was fun with a great group of people. That's all I can think of at the moment, but you have to remember, what happens on the Elation stays on the Elation! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmtiern Posted September 2, 2018 #2 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Thank you for the mini-review, I enjoyed it. Glad you were able to do a father/son cruise! (and Kevin was there, I'm sure <3) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LUVMYGSDOG Posted September 2, 2018 #3 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Sounds like an awesome time! DH and I throughly enjoyed Cheers on the Elation as well [emoji3][emoji3] Kim Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt&nina Posted September 2, 2018 #4 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Thanks for the review. My wife and I have the same plan for our cruise on the 24th. My wife has booked some spa time in HMC, so I plan on spending the day at the pool. I will update if the cleaning happens again. Looking forward to seeing the Fun Times and any menus you have before we cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandmarnnurse Posted September 2, 2018 #5 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Thanks for the review. I did read your last review on the Elation as I love your reviews and Patti’s pics. I try to read every one that I see pop up. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMSACE6 Posted September 2, 2018 #6 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Sounds like a fun cruise Jamman54! I think I missed your last review, since I am not able to cruise these days, and have been away from the boards, so going back to read your last one too. I bet you and Ryan had blast! Look forward to more info and photos.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted September 3, 2018 #7 Share Posted September 3, 2018 Thanks for the report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProgRockCruiser Posted September 3, 2018 #8 Share Posted September 3, 2018 Excellent! We have a cruise planned on the Elation in May of next year (5-day Eastern Carib out of Canaveral). I enjoy reading your reviews to whet my appetite for future cruises on the same ship - nicely detailed, and even if the itinerary is not the same as mine, I can scope out the ship and its amenities! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunset785 Posted September 3, 2018 #9 Share Posted September 3, 2018 We leave Thursday on the Elation. Ready for a nice long weekend away and this is our first time with Cheers! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noblewoman Posted September 3, 2018 #10 Share Posted September 3, 2018 So nice to get a positive review Will be on Elation Oct 13th can't wait Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmberTeka Posted September 3, 2018 #11 Share Posted September 3, 2018 Loved your review. We live in Jacksonville, and we are on the Elation for Spring Break + Daughter and her family, + Her sister-in-law and her family, and her Mother-in-law and Father-in-law. I was surprised at how good the reviews of the Elation have been. But then we had our noses in the air about sailing the Fascination when it was in JAX ( ship was so old and so small), and we loved that cruise and that ship. It was one of my favorite cruises. Smaller can be Better or Just as good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peteandpris Posted September 4, 2018 #12 Share Posted September 4, 2018 Great review glad you guys had a great time. I reread your Sunshine review as we are leaving this Sat. for a back to back on the Sunshine at Port Canaveral and we are turning platinum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Saint Greg Posted September 4, 2018 #13 Share Posted September 4, 2018 Thanks for the review! I know I've been on Elation three times but not in 2 1/2 years...I know I've had a Wayan on Lido. Wonder if it could be the same guy.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caraec Posted September 6, 2018 #14 Share Posted September 6, 2018 So glad you had a great father-son trip! My daughter and I took a weeklong mother-daughter cruise after her junior year of college, as I suspected (and it was the case) that she would be getting married the following year. We had the best time! I would love to do it again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennesseeTater Posted September 6, 2018 #15 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Thanks for the report Jeff. Glad you and Ryan had fun. I’ll be onboard the Breeze next month and I’ll make sure to have a few TFR’s in your honor. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blarko Posted September 6, 2018 #16 Share Posted September 6, 2018 We just got off the Elation this morning. I was a bit hesitant about the older, smaller ship, but this cruise was probably one of the best ones I’ve ever been on. The crew are outstanding! MarQ, the cruise director, exceeded my expectations and made every event so much fun (as he says....fun is what you make it). We also had YTD and never saw the dining room! You are right though that the Lido buffet serves most everything that the dining room is serving on any given night. We are still feeling the effects of our Cheers package (I only maxed out one day, but came pretty close on the other days). My liver needs a break, so it’s probably a good thing we are headed home....lol. Can’t wait to see your pictures from your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jamman54 Posted September 7, 2018 Author #17 Share Posted September 7, 2018 Thanks for the review! I know I've been on Elation three times but not in 2 1/2 years...I know I've had a Wayan on Lido. Wonder if it could be the same guy.... Hey Greg! Is this the Wayan that you know? :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jamman54 Posted September 7, 2018 Author #18 Share Posted September 7, 2018 Thanks for the report Jeff. Glad you and Ryan had fun. I’ll be onboard the Breeze next month and I’ll make sure to have a few TFR’s in your honor. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Thanks!!! :D Hope we get to sail with you guys again someday. Enjoy your cruise on the Breeze. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jamman54 Posted September 7, 2018 Author #19 Share Posted September 7, 2018 We just got off the Elation this morning. I was a bit hesitant about the older, smaller ship, but this cruise was probably one of the best ones I’ve ever been on. The crew are outstanding! MarQ, the cruise director, exceeded my expectations and made every event so much fun (as he says....fun is what you make it). We also had YTD and never saw the dining room! You are right though that the Lido buffet serves most everything that the dining room is serving on any given night. We are still feeling the effects of our Cheers package (I only maxed out one day, but came pretty close on the other days). My liver needs a break, so it’s probably a good thing we are headed home....lol. Can’t wait to see your pictures from your cruise. Glad that you enjoyed your cruise. We really like sailing on the Fantasy Class ships, which is why we book them from time to time. :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Saint Greg Posted September 7, 2018 #20 Share Posted September 7, 2018 Hey Greg! Is this the Wayan that you know? :cool: Yep. That’s him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jamman54 Posted September 7, 2018 Author #21 Share Posted September 7, 2018 I have just finished uploading my pictures to my photo hosting site. I have also scanned the Fun Times and other documents and included them there. To see them, click on Our Cruise and Vacation Photo Albums link in my signature. Here are a few Ryan pictures...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heffy2 Posted September 7, 2018 #22 Share Posted September 7, 2018 Thanks for the review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted September 7, 2018 #23 Share Posted September 7, 2018 Hey Jeff, another great cruise review! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FP3740 Posted September 7, 2018 #24 Share Posted September 7, 2018 Thanks for sharing Jeff. Great pics of you two. Luv cruising with my three young adult children. Keep up the great reviews! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Destaw71835 Posted September 8, 2018 #25 Share Posted September 8, 2018 I can’t wait to read the rest of your review! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now